Eating Foods That Contain Estrogen, Primarily Soy, May Reduce Menopausal Symptoms

Scientific research concerning plant foods that contain estrogen (referred to as phytoestrogens) is still in the preliminary stages. Most research concerning estrogens and red clover isoflavones (a type of phytoestrogen) has been performed using laboratory animals. As with hormone replacement therapy, plant foods that contain estrogen are the subjects of much research and some debate in the scientific community. Here we look at some of the most recent research, on both sides of the debate.

Red clover is a plant that grows throughout the world. It was a food source for humans, at one time, but is primarily grown today to feed livestock. It has many uses in herbal medicine, including the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, eczema, sores, mouth ulcers and sore throats. Isoflavones, a type of plant estrogen or phytoestrogen, isolated from red clover are included in many natural remedies for menopausal symptoms.

Scientific research concerning plant estrogens and red clover is in the preliminary stages. The School of Pharmacy in Messina, Italy recently published two separate studies concerning estrogens and red clover. In both, laboratory animals were studied for the effects of decreased estrogen production after removal of the ovaries, in order to mimic the effects of menopause.

The first focused on osteoporosis, which is bone loss that is often found in menopausal and postmenopausal women. The study found that animals that were fed red clover had less bone loss than animals that ate their normal diet. The researchers' conclusion: "These findings suggest that red clover isoflavones are effective in reducing bone loss."

The second study focused on the skin. Many symptoms may accompany menopause and are believed to be associated with decreased estrogen production. The skin tends to become dryer, thinner, has less moisture and less collagen. These skin problems show up in female lab animals, just like they do in women. In this study the researchers concluded, "These findings suggest that red clover isoflavones are effective in reducing skin aging induced by estrogen deprivation."

Research concerning foods that contain estrogen focuses primarily on soy isoflavones. The health benefits of soy is the subject of some debate, but the majority of the scientific evidence indicates that replacing high fat red meat with soy products is good for the heart, may reduce cholesterol and may prevent some types of cancer. It is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and carbohydrates.

Soy isoflavones have an estrogen-like effect on the body. On the plus side, this means that isoflavones may relieve some of the symptoms that typically accompany menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. On the negative side, some experts fear that isoflavones may increase a woman's chances of developing breast and uterine cancer. These types of cancer are seen more often in women taking hormone replacement or estrogen replacement therapies.

The research results are mixed. One long-term study of Japanese women concluded that women whose diet was high in soy were less likely to develop breast cancer than women who did not eat soy. Of those women eating soy who did develop breast cancer, their survival rate was better. As with most things, genetics apparently plays a role.

Researchers have learned that some women have a genetic predisposition to suffer numerous menopausal symptoms. Likewise, it is clear that certain types of cancer, particularly breast cancer, occur often in some families, but not at all in others. Regretfully, there is no way to predict, with any certainty, how a woman's body will respond to the changes accompanying menopause, nor to adding plant foods that contain estrogen to the diet. The safest advice for women who have a history of breast cancer in themselves or their family is to avoid estrogen in all its forms, until scientific research can give us better guidelines.